Summary
Aim: To investigate the effect of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown on lifestyle behaviors and mood changes in the Croatian general population.
Methods: During ten days of the COVID-19 lockdown in Croatia, 3027 respondents (70.3% female) from the general population completed an online, self-report questionnaire. Demographic data and data on lifestyle habits and mood changes before and during the COVID-19 lockdown were collected.
Results: A total of 95.64% of respondents reported to follow most or all restrictions, with female sex (P < 0.001) and higher education level (P < 0.001) being associated with higher restriction compliance. Women smoked an increased number of cigarettes (P < 0.001). The proportion of respondents of both sexes who did not drink or drank 7 drinks per week or more increased (P < 0.001). Women also reported lower frequency (P = 0.001) and duration of physical exercise (P < 0.001). In total, 30.7% of respondents gained weight, with female sex (OR, 2.726) and higher BMI (OR, 1.116; both P < 0.001) being associated with an increased likelihood of gaining weight. Both men and women felt more frequently afraid (P < 0.001), discouraged (P < 0.001), and sad (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Public health authorities should promote the adoption of healthy lifestyles in order to reduce long-term negative effects of the lockdown.

Relevance
According to these findings, poor nutritional quality, a lack of exercise, and increasing tobacco and alcohol use may have a negative impact on overall and mental health outcomes as well as raise the burden of disease worldwide. Women reported less physical activity, both in terms of quantity and frequency. People smoked more cigarettes during the lockdown, and women's anxiety levels may have significantly increased, which may have resulted in their eating unhealthier food. Women in this study demonstrated a higher propensity for weight gain. PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms are reportedly developed in people earthquake survivors. The dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the neuroadaptations in the stress and reward pathways brought on by chronic alcohol drinking are also highlighted in this study as reasons why stress has been linked to an increase in the craving for alcohol. Additionally, there is a complicated relationship between drinking alcohol and problems with immune systems, including a higher risk of developing pneumonia. Results of this study support the implementation of concurrent lifestyle modifications. The adoption of healthy behaviors should therefore be encouraged by public health officials in order to lessen the lockdown's long-term detrimental impacts.